Knowing what to do if you encounter a bear is being Bear Wise. But some encounters may be more dangerous than others, so it's important to recognize the signs, and know what you can do to protect yourself.

Know the language of black bears:

If you by chance encounter a black bear it may:

 Stand on its hind legs to get a better look at you

 Salivate excessively, exhale loudly, and make huffing, moaning, clacking and popping sounds with its mouth, teeth and jaws

 Lower its head with its ears drawn back while facing you

 Charge forward, and/or swat the ground with its paws. This is also known as a bluff charge

Generally, the noisier the bear is, the less dangerous it is provided you don't approach the bear. These are all warning signals bears give to let you know you are too close. When bears are caught off guard, they are stressed, and usually just want to flee.

What to do – Surprise and Close Encounters:

 Remain calm. Do not run.

 Stand still and talk to the bear in a calm voice

 Arm your pepper spray

 Do not try to get closer to the bear

 If the bear does not get closer to you, slowly back away, talking to the bear in a quiet, monotone voice.

 Do not scream, turn your back on the bear, run, kneel down or make direct eye contact

 Watch the bear and wait for it to leave

 If the bear does not leave or approaches you, yell and wave your arms to make yourself look bigger. Throw objects, blow a whistle or an air horn. The idea is to persuade the bear to leave

 If you are with others, stay together and act as a group.

 Make sure the bear has a clear escape route

 If the bear keeps advancing, and is getting close, stand your ground. Use your bear pepper spray (if the bear is within seven metres) or anything else you can find or use to threaten or distract the bear

 DO NOT RUN or CLIMB A TREE

ABOUT ATTACKS:

Black bear attacks are extremely rare. A black bear may attack if:

 It perceives you to be a threat to it, its cubs or it may be defending food. This is a defensive bear that wants more space between you and it. Such attacks are exceedingly rare although a bear’s aggressive display may seem to suggest otherwise

 It is a predatory bear. These bears are also very rare. Predatory attacks usually occur in rural or in remote areas. Predatory bears approach silently, and may continue to approach regardless of your attempts to deter them by yelling or throwing rocks

WHAT TO DO IF AN ENCOUNTER RESULTS IN AN ATTACK:

 Use your pepper spray

 Fight back with everything you have

 Do not play dead except in the rare instance when you are sure a mother bear is attacking you in defense of cubs